In a dramatic policy pivot on Tuesday night, the Railway Board suspended the much-anticipated extension of the Vande Bharat Express from Srinagar to Jammu. The announcement came barely hours after Northern Railway officials had declared that the service would finally bridge the gap between J&K’s twin capitals starting March 1, 2026.
The decision has left thousands of prospective travelers and stakeholders in a state of “unavoidable” limbo. Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Uchit Singhal confirmed the suspension, stating that the notification program has been halted “till further advice.”
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The Launch That Wasn’t: A 24-Hour Timeline
The day began with a wave of optimism as Northern Railway detailed the milestone:
The Announcement: A direct link between Srinagar and Jammu Tawi was hailed as a historic leap for regional trade and tourism.
The Reversal: Late Tuesday night, the Railway Board intervened, citing undisclosed operational or administrative challenges.
The Background: This service was intended to build on the Srinagar-Katra link inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in June 2025.
20 Coaches and 5 Hours: The Planned Upgrade
The now-stalled plan wasn’t just an extension; it was a massive capacity boost.
Capacity: The existing 8-car rake was to be replaced by a 20-car Vande Bharat rake, increasing passenger capacity from 530 to over 1,440 per trip.
Speed: The train was scheduled to cover the stretch in approximately 4 hours and 55 minutes, offering a reliable, all-weather alternative to the frequently closed Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.
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The Persistent “Katra Gap”: Why Transshipment Continues
Despite the hype of “direct” connectivity, travelers currently face a logistical bottleneck.
The Reality: While the train runs from Srinagar to Katra, passengers heading toward Delhi or other parts of the country must still deboard at Katra or Jammu for security frisking and luggage re-scanning.
Seamless Dream: True “seamless” rail connectivity—where a passenger can board in Srinagar and deboard in New Delhi without changing trains—remains a secondary phase of the USBRL (Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link) project.
Reality Check
The “unavoidable circumstances” cited by the Board are often code for technical readiness or security clearances. Still, a successful trial run of the 20-coach rake was completed between Jammu and Katra on Tuesday morning. Therefore, while the hardware is ready, the administrative or security framework for a 20-car operation through the sensitive tunnels of the Reasi-Banihal stretch may still be under review. In fact, managing 1,400+ passengers through a single security “changing point” at Katra is a significant logistical hurdle.
The Loopholes
The Railways announced the extension before receiving final clearance from the Board. In fact, this is a “Premature PR Loophole” often seen in high-profile infrastructure projects where local divisions race to claim success. Therefore, while the extension is “on hold,” it likely isn’t canceled—it’s waiting for a high-level diplomatic window or a specific security audit. Still, the “National Project” status of the USBRL ensures that this delay is likely a weeks-long hiccup rather than a months-long setback.
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What This Means for You
If you were planning to travel between Jammu and Srinagar on March 1, keep your taxi or bus bookings active. First, realize that the current Vande Bharat service only goes as far as Katra (SVDK station). Then, if you are traveling with large amounts of luggage, be prepared for the mandatory transshipment and re-scanning at the changing point, which adds roughly 45–60 minutes to your total transit time.
Finally, understand that winter-specific Vande Bharat features (heating, snow-cutters) are already active on the current Srinagar-Katra run. You should watch for a fresh notification on the official Northern Railway handle (@RailwayNorthern) for the new launch date. Before booking your return leg, verify if the 20-coach rake has been officially inducted, as seating availability will triple once that happens.
What’s Next
The Railway Board is expected to review the “operational hurdles” by the end of this week. Then, a new notification for the March 15 or April 1 window is highly likely. Finally, look for an official statement regarding the security protocols at Katra station, which will determine if the “changing point” requirement can be streamlined for Vande Bharat passengers.
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